Sad Loss for the MS Community
December 13, 2006

The whole MS community expresses its sadness over the loss of W. Ian McDonald, MB, ChB, PhD, a former advisor who made outstanding research contributions toward understanding multiple sclerosis. Professor McDonald was Emeritus Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Institute of Neurology at University College in London.

Professor McDonald was the first to demonstrate, in the early 1960s, that MS damage to the myelin that coats wire-like nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord could block nerve messages. He had the foresight, when magnetic resonance imaging was invented, to recognize its potential as a window into MS disease activity, and established the first dedicated MRI facility for use in MS in the world. More recently, he led efforts to revise criteria physicians use to diagnose MS; the resulting “McDonald Criteria” have become a worldwide standard that have sped the diagnosis of the disease.

Professor McDonald was also one of the world’s leading neurologists, serving at various times as president of the World Congress of Neurology, the European Neurological Society, and the Association of British Neurologists. He also served as a scientific advisor to the National MS Society (USA) and as Chair of the MS International Federation’s Medical Advisory Board. In recognition of his many contributions to the field, he was awarded the National MS Society/American Academy of Neurology’s 1999 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research.

“Professor McDonald will be remembered not only for his seminal research into understanding multiple sclerosis, but also for his vision and leadership that greatly benefited people with MS,” said Joyce Nelson, President and CEO of the National MS Society. “The Society was honored to count him as a friend and advisor who helped shape our research efforts to find a cure.” From: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 USA